Accuphase DAC-60 Digital Input Board – New Generation D/A Converter Board

The successor to the Accuphase DAC-50 is the new Accuphase DAC-60 digital board, which features a 2MDS+ type D/A converter section and a new ESS ES9016K2M processor from ESS Technology Inc.

With the Accuphase DAC-60 Digital Input Board, the Japanese high-end hi-fi manufacturer Accuphase Laboratory Inc. offers the latest generation of an optional D/A converter extension for various preamplifiers and stereo integrated amplifiers from its broad range.

The new Accuphase DAC-60 digital board replaces the previously available Accuphase DAC-50 digital input board and comes up with some interesting innovations.

Accuphase DAC-60 Digital Input Board – USB, Optical and Coaxial

The new Accuphase DAC-60 has everything you need to connect various digital sources. First of all, there is an optical and coaxial S/PDIF interface, but above all a USB port, which is of course the most flexible of the three options.

When connected to a PC or Mac as the source device, the USB 2.0 port allows the full bandwidth of the converter of the new Accuphase DAC-60 digital board to be exploited, namely 32 bits and 384 kHz for signals in Linear PCM, as well as DSD256 for content in DSD.

If required for the respective operating system, Accuphase Laboratory Inc. will of course provide the corresponding drivers.

The optical S/PDIF interface can process signals in Linear PCM with up to 24 bits and 96 kHz, the coaxial S/PDIF interface audio data in Linear PCM with up to 24 bits and 192 kHz, so the Japanese strictly adhere to the corresponding specifications for the respective interfaces.

Accuphase 2MDS+ converter principle

The signal processing is based on the so-called Accuphase 2MDS+ converter principle, whereby this abbreviation stands for Multiple Delta Sigma converter principle and relies on parallel-connected ESS ES9016K2M DAC modules from the specialist ESS Technology Inc.

Accuphase Laboratory Inc. is convinced that this is by far the best method, as it guarantees signal processing with the highest level of detail and free of influences that damage the sound.

Suitable for a wide range of systems

As mentioned above, the Accuphase DAC-60 Digital Board can be used in a variety of preamplifier and stereo integrated amplifier products from Accuphase Laboratory Inc. An up-to-date list is available from R.M.S – State of the Art Audiovisual Products.

While input selection is automatic for the three available connections, all relevant information is shown on the display of the respective preamplifier or stereo integrated amplifier.

Price and Availability

In principle, the new Accuphase DAC-60 digital board should be available in specialist shops these days. However, due to immensely high demand and the current tense situation on the market, one will probably have to be patient until February 2022. The recommended retail price for the new Accuphase DAC-60 is listed at € 1,350.

Getting to the point

Accuphase Laboratory Inc. has been focusing on flexible configuration in the field of its preamplifiers and stereo integrated amplifiers for years. Especially in the area of D/A converters, it is a clever strategy to offer them in the form of optional expansion boards, such as the new Accuphase DAC-60. This way, users can actually upgrade their amplifier systems with D/A converters when they really need them, and there is always the option of upgrading to even higher-quality solutions, as the current generation change shows.